A new R66 or a used EC120?

[cherminator]

 

If $$ were no issue at all, i'd buy a EC130.

 

jmhoaidks, (just my humble opinion and i don't know sh*t)

 

 

It's funny you should say that as he went and looked at a local EC130 that might be for sale a couple of days ago. He's pretty jacked up on that one.

 

I know I'm not going to necessarily get the facts on this forum, but opinions are important too. You guys have a lot of experience and I appreciate you all taking the time to answer questions such as mine.

 

I also posted the question because I myself might like to upgrade from my R44 one day and the EC120 and the R66 would be my two picks for my particular situation. However, after looking at the specs of both machines more closely and thinking about what I do with my machine (fly around in the mountains for fun), it looks like the R66 would be the machine for this area. Pretty impressive IGE and OGE hover specs indeed. I just wish it was better looking and a little larger. I also wish the EC120 had more power, and if it did, that would be my dream ship of the future. I almost get weak in the knees when I see one, it's so beautiful to me.

 

Why doesn't Eurocopter or a third party make a "performance mod" option for the 120?

[adam32]

If you're just puttin around the mountains for fun, why not get a Soloy 47/Hiller or an OH-58?

[SBuzzkill]

OH-58A/C would be fun, I really enjoyed flying them. They flew so much better than the 206BIIIs. Again though it's probably not going to be the most comfortable ship for passengers in the back, although I'm 6 feet and didn't have too much of an issue.

Edited August 31, 2011 by SBuzzkill

[Goldy]

It's funny you should say that as he went and looked at a local EC130 that might be for sale a couple of days ago. He's pretty jacked up on that one.

 

 

Well if he's looking at a EC130, I would also throw in the AS350B2/B3 and the AW119 into the mix! All are a pretty big step up from an R66. The AW119 is my personal dream ship. But we have now moved from the 800-1M range up to 1.5-2M+

[Spike]

Shoot, if we’re gonna pull the stops out and cost is not a factor, IMHO there is no other machine to fly in the mountains then the Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama. Then again, I assume the owner has little experience; hence the question put forth, so maybe the sense which is not common should kick-in and slide back to an R44 recip. If not, why not consider a BO105 or an A109 Power? If so, may god be with ya………..

[280fxColorado]

Enstrom's Turbine 480B - Better than an R66?

 

Flying Magazine - Enstrom 480B Flight Test

[r44guy]

This was very informative and impressive thread comparison wise with all of the different angles or opinions by all of the form members who have been sharing information so thank you to all. If money was not an issue I would of considered the Augusta based on speed and the retractable gear but it is obviously not much of a apple to apple statement.